Claire's closes at Gaithersburg Square

Claire's has closed at 524 N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square. The interior has been mostly cleared out, with shelving and other leftover materials stacked up behind the counter. This closure can't be blamed on the moribund Montgomery County economy (though there's something odd about a Claire's in an open-air shopping center instead of an indoor mall). Claire's has filed for bankruptcy, and over 200 locations are closing nationwide.

Boston Market to Chase Bank transformation advances in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Signage has been installed for Chase Bank at 494-B N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square. In addition to the logos attached to the future bank, wayfaring signage directing customers to the entrance and ATM machine has been erected at ground level. Most of the wide white strip that ran around the building just below the roofline has now been painted gray, but retains the white borders. Rotisserie chicken fanatics in Gaithersburg will warmly remember this as the former home of Boston Market, which closed here over a year ago.

DMV Empanadas opens in Gaithersburg

DMV Empanadas is now open at 560 N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square. The Latin American fast-casual restaurant got its start as farmers market vendor in 2015, and started a bricks-and-mortar operation in Olde Towne Gaithersburg a few years later. It swapped that storefront for this one on a higher-traffic road. Initial soft-opening hours for DMV Empanadas are 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays, and 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sundays.

Gaithersburg Boston Market to become a Chase Bank

The former Boston Market building at 494-B N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square is getting a new life as a bank. Chase Bank has leased the building, which has now been fenced off. "Coming soon" signage has been posted on the fence. The building's features will translate well to a bank, with a drive-thru window on the side, and stately columns out front.

Naz's Halal Food opening in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Square is swapping halal for halal in the same spot. Naz's Halal Food will be opening at the shopping center at 522 N. Frederick Avenue, according to a banner posted on the storefront. That's the same space just vacated by The Halal Guys. So, if you were sad about The Halal Guys inexplicably failing at this location, you can now dry your tears. Great halal food is returning soon to Gaithersburg Square.

Naz's Halal has been around for fewer years than The Halal Guys, but has menu items the Guys don't, like burgers, fish, and Philly cheesesteaks. Of course, you can also order the kind of platters familiar to Halal Guys customers, which make up the heart of the menu here. Montgomery County residents already have familiarity with the chain, as Naz's has locations in Germantown, Rockville, Burtonsville, White Oak and Takoma Park.

DMV Empanadas opening at Gaithersburg Square

DMV Empanadas is coming soon to Gaithersburg Square, according to signage posted at its future space. Known for its savory and sweet Latin American turnovers, DMV Empanadas had an existing location at 113 E. Diamond Avenue. That store closed last month, and the new Gaithersburg Square spot will be at 560 N. Frederick Avenue. While waiting for the new location to open, you can still get your favorite DMV Empanadas at the Olney Farmers Market from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Sunday.

Carter's opens at Gaithersburg Square

Carter's has returned to Gaithersburg Square, at 520 N. Frederick Avenue. The children's clothing boutique temporarily closed at the shopping center a couple of years back, but apparently had a change of heart or fortune. Operating hours of the new store are 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays. Carter's was founded by William Carter in Needham, Massachusetts in 1865.

Charik Fashions returns to Gaithersburg Square, Carter's returning soon

Just when they thought they were out, Gaithersburg Square pulls them back in. After closing their storefront at 520 N. Frederick Avenue last month, Charik Fashions has returned in a new spot in the shopping center at 530 N. Frederick, next door to The Halal Guys. And after closing a couple of years ago, Carter's is also coming back. It will open in Charik Fashion's former location, next to Five Below.

Charik Fashions closes at Gaithersburg Square

Charik Fashions has closed its boutique at 520 N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square. Signage has been stripped from the storefront. Inside, the space has been cleared out. The African fashion boutique opened in April 2022.

Oak Barrel & Vine opens in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Oak Barrel & Vine, a new retail concept from Montgomery County's Department of Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS), has opened its third location at 512 N. Frederick Avenue today, in the Gaithersburg Square shopping center. The store features a large tasting room and event space, a handpicked selection of items with an emphasis on locally-produced products, an improved selection of small format items, a dedicated non-alcoholic products section, queue lines for faster checkout, wayfinding signage, and "enhanced customer accessibility." This branding format is designed to present the County's government liquor sales monopoly through the aesthetics of a private retail business.

"My appreciation to our county’s ABS, which has contributed more than $35 million of revenue last year alone to the taxpayers of Montgomery County and more than $306 million over the last 10 years and which is continuing to improve its services and offerings,” County Executive Marc Elrich said in a statement. “The new Gaithersburg Square store is another example of their working to provide a first-rate experience for our customers.”

Oak Barrel & Vine features a special section of beer, wine and spirits manufactured in Maryland, as you can see in the photos here. The Gaithersburg Square store's operating hours will be 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 to 5:00 PM on Sundays.

The following tastings will be held at the store for the Grand Opening weekend:

Thursday, June 15

• 1-4 p.m. – Boordy Vineyards (Maryland)
• 1-4 p.m. – Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and Rye
• 1-4 p.m. – Silver Branch Brewing (Maryland)
• 4-7 p.m. – Intercept Wines (Juneteenth promo)
• 4-7 p.m. – Tito’s Handmade Vodka
• 4-7 p.m. – Noble Oak Bourbon and Rye

Friday, June 16

• 1-4 p.m. – Old Line Whiskey (Maryland)
• 1-4 p.m. – Tenth Ward (Maryland)
• 1-4 p.m. – Brookeville Beer Farm (Maryland)
• 4-7 p.m. – Ten to One Rum (Juneteenth promo)
• 4-7 p.m. – Intercept Wines (Juneteenth promo)
• 4-7 p.m. – High Noon RTD and Don Fulano Tequilas

Saturday, June 17

• 1-4 p.m. – Ten to One Rum (Juneteenth promo)
• 1-4 p.m. – Intercept Wines (Juneteenth promo)
• 1-4 p.m. – Clutch Vodka (Juneteenth promo)
• 4-7 p.m. – Dalmore Scotch
• 4-7 p.m. – Casamigos Tequila
• 4-7 p.m. – Orin Swift Wine

Sunday, June 18

• 1-4 p.m. – High Noon Tall Cans
• 1-4 p.m. – Hennessy VS and VSOP
• 1-4 p.m. – Coconut Cartel

Boston Market closes in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Boston Market has closed at 494-B N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square. Signage has been stripped from the building, although a dedication plaque referencing the restaurant's support for women with breast cancer has been left in place for now. You can pretty clearly see the stain of a Boston Market logo shape left behind in the picture below.

Can this closure be blamed on the Montgomery County Council and its anti-business policies? That's not clear in this case. The Boston Market chain is in an expansion mode under new ownership, have declared its plans to open over 100 new stores since it was acquired by Engage Brands, LLC. in 2020. On the other hand, many of the chain's older locations - like this one - had signed expensive leases that the brand has sought to shed to lower its debt load. Without knowing the terms of the lease here, it's not possible to determine if that was the issue, or the County Council's 20-year habit of tightening the screws on low-profit-margin businesses like restaurants.

Oak Barrel & Vine construction update in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Here's a look at the progress on Oak Barrel & Vine at Gaithersburg Square. Signage has been installed outside. Inside, shelving and displays are being constructed. Oak Barrel & Vine is the Montgomery County government liquor monopoly's latest effort to present itself as a private business, while maintaining its archaic monopoly on alcohol sales in the county. Cosmetic changes can't mask that common, mass-produced items like Jack Daniels & Coca Cola RTD can't be found in their stores.

Oak Barrel & Vine signage installed at Gaithersburg Square (Photos)

Signage for Oak Barrel & Vine has been added to the main Gaithersburg Square sign along MD 355. The brand is an attempt by the Montgomery County government liquor monopoly to look more like a private business. Try telling that to customers who can't find major releases from the world's biggest brands, like a widely-advertised limited-edition Budweiser beer or the Coca-Cola branded Jack Daniels cans in these government stores. The new concept will have more locally-produced items, a large tasting room and event space, queue lines for a faster checkout process, and a "safe and inviting environment." It is anticipated to open this spring.

Black Friday at Ashley Furniture in Gaithersburg

If furniture is on your holiday shopping list, Ashley Furniture Home Store at 534 N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square should be on your Black Friday itinerary today. Michael J. from WMZQ FM will be broadcasting live from the store starting at 11:00 AM this morning. Black Friday deals today will include mattresses from $129.99, dining sets from $230, sofas from $399.99, and best-selling beds starting at $149.99. 60-month special financing will also be available with no down payment on qualifying purchases.

Oak Barrel & Vine "coming soon" in Gaithersburg

"Coming soon" signage is up at the future Oak Barrel & Vine store at 512 N. Frederick Avenue, at Gaithersburg Square. The store is the new retail concept from the Montgomery County government liquor monopoly. It will be designed to resemble a privately-owned shop, rather than the government-operated store it will actually be.

Five Below sets opening date at Gaithersburg Square (Photos)

Five Below is getting ready for opening day at 516 N. Frederick Avenue at Gaithersburg Square, stocking shelves, preparing displays and lining up shopping carts and baskets. The store will be opening July 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM, according to the Five Below website. Five Below, by prescience or coincidence, is well-positioned for the state of retail in the pandemic and inflationary age. While some "dollar" store chains must sheepishly announce they are blowing up their whole raison d'etre by charging more than a dollar, Five Below can continue delivering on its promises at least a while longer into this century.